Personally, I think Cruz is a jerk. But I will be voting for him because Beto is just too soft on illegal immigration. I strongly support expanded legal immigration particularly reducing the time required to immigrate here legally. But I do know the difference between legal and illegal immigration and I fear Beto doesn’t.
“The personal attacks, the going to the gutter that is so common in politics, I’ve tried not to engage in,” Mr. Cruz said.
It appears Mr. Cruz needs to try much harder. Not working at all so far........I guess this is the kind of comment that prompts O'Rourke to call Cruz a liar.
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Ted Cruz is everything Beto called him. Trump already named and labeled Cruz a liar and beat him for the nomination. Cruz is a loser. Trump insulted Mrs. Ted Cruz, claimed Ted's father was involved in the JFK assassination, and now endorses Cruz? Why? Because Ted Cruz is a loser and a suck up and will do anything for political gain. Texas can do better than Cruz. Vote for a real man who is a real Texan: Beto O'Rouke. An Irish-Mexican who is a real American and Texacan.
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In the first debate, Beto O'Rourke quoted the Clash and described Ted Cruz as "working for the clampdown." Joe Strummer would be proud.
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I hope Beta wins. Don't like Cruz; the feeling you get from each man is so different. Cruz seems very smug to me. One candidate, Beta O'Rourke comes across as a nice man; can't say same for Cruz.
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These were the last gasps of Beto. Never had a chance anyway in Texas but was fun to watch.
There is no doubt that O'Rourke is a much better speaker then Cruz .
Cruz bangs on like an old gramaphone record that has been played far too often..
(the same applies to Trump )
Cruz talk is reminiscent of 1970's politic speak ..at one stage I thought he was going to shout out "remember the Alamo " but then again ,Texan identity and patriotism is a very big issue and should not be overlooked by O'Rourke and he must wave that banner in his speeches ...Texas..Texas..texas..
it must be completely soul destroying for Cruz to have to invite Trump to come to speak in Texas . Trump spoke of filling a 96,000 seater stadium for his big speech but an 8,000 capacity arena in Houston will suffice...
Cruz finished the evening mentioning his mother and Cuban father and the father in time ,realising the "American Dream"
O Rourke , if given the opportunity , could comment to such along the lines of praising Cruz parents for what they had achieved but if Cruz's father had tried to enter the US under Trumps reign ,that what was achieved and realised then would never have been achievable presently .
....... because he would never have got into the US, so therefore, there never would have been a certain Senator ted Cruz ..
Food for thought .....??....Perhaps .
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I need to see a chiropractor because of the whip-lash I suffered last night when Cruz asked the voters if they would choose "fear" or "hope", and then proclaimed himself the "hope" choice.
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Beto O'Rourke...as they like to say in Texas, bless your heart for going up against Ted Cruz and for fighting the good fight for our country and your state.
I've lived in Texas (San Antonio and Houston), taught at Rice University, and have a daughter who graduated from UNT in Denton. I know what you're up against, and I think there are many of us outside the state who have been doing whatever we can to help you get elected. I also think there are many more on your side within the state, and that you bring this one home.
Remind the voters that Cruz and Trump are more concerned about the unborn than they are about the children currently living in tents and cages on our border. Ask them to be consistent, at the very least, in their so-called "concern" for human life.
Talk to the voters about health care, education and the environment they live in. Remind them of the hurricanes that hit Houston.
Don't spend too much time discussing Trump, Cruz & Co. Everyone knows who they are and what they lie about. Tell the voters what YOU plan to do and can do for them!
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Cruz and Trump aren't just more concerned about unborn than children living in tents, they're ONLY concerned about the donors who are supporting anti-abortion laws; no living person now, in our history, or in our future who is unrelated to them is of any concern.
If you want someone working on your behalf, vote for O'Rourke, who has pledged to serve no more than two terms (full terms). Cruz has barely served one term.
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I thought of a new nick name for Paddy O’Rourke – Side Show Bob
Because that is all he is. A partisan circus entertainer, just noise from the left side of this three ring circus.
He is going to go into the Guinness book of records as the largest loosing senate campaign ever, $38M and counting, and 9 points down, desperate for a bounce.
Side Show Bob seems to be famous in the media, not so much in Texas.
Can someone please ring the buzzer and tell him to get off the stage?
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This is all about voter turnout. Don't listen to the polls. We get the government we deserve. Vote, Texas. Vote!
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Why is every criticism labeled as an "attack?" Mr. O'Rourke's comments were criticisms, not attacks.
This is true for other candidates as well, on both sides.
Sometimes it's an attack, as in most of Trump's words.
But please use the word more carefully and reserve it for true attacks.
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As the geographic "center" and the largest, most diverse State of the continental U.S., TX has the opportunity to correct the divisive path this country is currently wallowing in by firing "Lyin' Ted" and the GOP/Trump agenda by voting for #BetoForSenate! Beto's energy, empathy and charisma is what TX in this new century is and should be all about. It's time for Texas to lead again and be the beacon of Hope and Possibility for "All Americans"! Vote TX #BetoForSenate!
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With an article like this, there is little reason to be surprised at the charges of "fake news". This is practically a paid advertisement for the Democratic candidate.
There is not even an attempt to appear evenhanded.
This is not news.
This is opinion.
Put it in the Editorial section.
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Not much for critical thinking in NJ these days, is there?
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Ted Cruz? He is not USA born citizen. His mother is a natural born citizen. The senior Cruz is as crazy Cuban (with sketchy background) as they come right-wing-off-the wall evangelical. Now, I wonder? With that background Ted Cruz should be compassionate, caring and for the poor and less fortunate. Isn’t Christ’s message? The evangel that Christ lived and preached? Nowadays all these Republican politicians take Christ’s message, only in theory, they do not actually practices it.
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@RBR
Santa Cruz, CA? Oh yes... Understand this article now.
@RBR
Evangelicals don't follow Christ's example. They follow their own charlatans.
7
“The personal attacks, the going to the gutter that is so common in politics, I’ve tried not to engage in,” Mr. Cruz said.
Then it must be a different Sen. Ted Cruz relentlessly attacking Mr. O'Rourke with negative ads multiple times a night on every channel that I watch here in Texas. They sure look and sound the same, though, and neither has done a thing since assuming a seat in the Senate other than run for president.
I do agree with President Trump on this: Mr. O'Rourke is not in the same league as Mr. Cruz. Mr. O'Rourke's league is made up of people who value honesty, intelligence and competence, all reasons why he has made this a relatively close race in a deep red state. Let's hope he never switches to Mr. Cruz's league.
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@Joe M
He hasn't tried hard enough.
Fellow Texans, do not under any circumstances let the deluge of polls keep you from losing faith. There are many different methodologies for all of these polls and not everyone answers them. Much like the Republican base of past elections, there is a Democratic silent majority and stealth voter who chooses not to answer these texts and calls asking who you are voting for. I do not answer them, but you best believe I will be voting for Beto!
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@Ken Quinney - That's correct! There is a great push for college students to turn out the vote for Beto. It's my understanding that they are not factored into the polling numbers.
Let's be more engaged than ever and Vote for Beto!
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@Ken Quinney
Turnout estimates by demographic groups are usually the secret sauce in polling estimates. It's part of the confidence limits listed for polls. Polling has become more difficult due to problems reaching folks on land lines vs cell phones, distrust for pollsters when they call, and reluctance to be honest if it might sound politically incorrect.
The public sometimes puts too much faith in polls. A lead can be used to discourage the opponent's voters or it can lead to complacency among the leader's supporters (witness HRC in 2016). Always remember, absent an election, you never know how things will come out.
If you care about our democracy, you have to stay informed, show up, and vote, no matter what polls say.
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Imagine the nuclear fury meltdown if a parking attendant stopped Ted Cruz from entering the garage. Yowza.
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To Texans from someone who likes you: VOTE.
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The debate was clearly Beto's as he was sharp as the writers note, but also hit points that show the real difference between the two, particularly on a big issues, that of economic disparity/difference. The obscene tax cut with Cruz using the typical rhetoric of the GOP talking about taxing the top millionaires would not touch the cost of Beto's "socialist" medical plan and trying to get in a word about UK and Canada's problems w/similar health care. All old and dated rhetoric. The same held for discussion on health care, immigration, and as to the last presidential election, Cruz had noting to say about the points Beto made about theRussians and elections and the need to address the current election. Cruz shot lots of cheap shots, using the Hillary name as cursing and then the smug smile and chuckles. This article reflects the polls more than the reality of the debte. And of course, the painting of the war chest as so damning when Cruz of course is the result of the same sort of profiteering, even more so as he has been in office for some time. Cruz tried very hard to land a knock-out blow but did not succeed. Beto was the clear winner.
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@Katalina it took Cruz over 10 seconds to even begin his 60 second answer to the question of providing insight into the candidate - by the end it was nothing but a sloppy reference about being a dad while being a senator. It was painful. Even Cruz’s chuckles throughout felt nervous rather than indignant. You are so right that Beto was the clear winner....beginning to end
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Maybe Beto has a surprise for Mr. Cruz and send him pack home.
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Go Beto go!!! VOTE THEM ALL OUT NOV 6TH
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I despise Cruz. A loathsome, sleazy, entirely self absorbed carpetbagger. WAKE UP, Texas. VOTE for Beto.
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Vote for Beto, y'all!
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The flake in this race IS Cruz. Hoping that the good people of Texas wake up before the November election. As they say here in Fort Worth Cruz exemplifies the expression, big hat no cattle.
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O'Rourke campaign -- here's your next ad:
A few clips -- with dates-- of Trump attacking and insulting Cruz and his family.
Then a few clips --with dates-- of Cruz supporting Trump, making it clear that these are subsequent to the insults.
Tagline: Do you trust a man who won't stand up for his own family to stand up for yours?
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Excellent.
Ted Cruz is a cowardly weasel. I’m surprised he holds appeal for Texans, even conservative Texans.
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@Patm My understanding is that someone is paying for an advertisement truck to drive around the Trump visit that will display the various insulting comments Trump had for Cruz. I somehow doubt if it will be shown on Fox News.
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It was disheartening to see the NYT label O'Rourke as "aggressive" for calling Cruz a liar. It seems apparent now that the NYT and so many other news outlets should have done a better job of naming liars as such several years ago when the descent into hell that is now our daily life as Americans began.
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You use the word attack several times, and then make clear in the final paragraph that you are echoing Cruz's use of the word. Do you know what you're doing to your reputation among intelligent readers?
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“Dishonest” is probably one of the nicest thing somebody could say about Ted Cruz.
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Rafael Cruz, gives me the creeps every time I see him. If he took theater, in college, he obviously didn't do very well. I can't find a single honest emotion emoting from that man.
Beto for Texas! Now more than Ever!
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Well everyone knows Cruz is a liar, right? Just ask Trump.
"Lyin' Ted" "Lyin' Ted" "Lyin' Ted" "Lyin' Ted" "Lyin' Ted"
Oh wait, not he's campaigning for him.
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@Marilynn
Maybe we'll get to see Trump back track on his Cruz insults, but I doubt it. Trumps rallies are about Trump. Cruz probably won't get a mention.
13
Calling Cruz dishonest is like calling the sun hot. Yes he is, but beyond the normal scale of things.
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How sad that Texans would cling to ideology and prejudice instead of choosing the best candidate. Ted Cruz is universally loathed and clearly working to divide and conquer Texas into "us and them"with no regard for the consequences and no plan to represent those he despises. Beto O'Rourke is a breath of fresh air and working to unite Texas in a forward looking hopeful future for all Texans. Just another measure how how sick our society has become.
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Finally, Beto leaves his knife at home brings a gun to a gun fight.
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@Democritus Good for u.Beto...... have ties to Tx & rooting for u....
9
The polls of many races likely shifted because of 2 things:
1- The circus surrounding the Kavanaugh hearings.
2- A huge wave of Republican negative ads that dropped about the same time.
This is an ad being run in Tennessee against a centrist and former Governor, Phil Bredesen, by the National Republican Senatorial Committee. I would contend that there is a subtle anti-semitic connotation to the ad.
https://youtu.be/-i6BFEXXGGk
This kind of nonsense is running constantly in Tennessee. I can only imagine what is running in Texas.
20
@David Gregory
The GOP doesn't have the anti-Semitic angle to work in Texas, so they've been falling back on another old standby:
saying that Democratic candidates of Hispanic origin are "not one of us."
In addition to the usual "liberal," "Washington insider," "controlled by Nancy Pelosi" garbage.
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I don’t believe these polls. I have lived in Texas most of my life, in North Texas, and for the last 20 years in blood red Plano. I have seen more Beto signs than I’ve seen other popular Dem nominees combined! I worked a rally at Legacy West where they expected 2,000 and 5,000 showed. People that normally hide their politics are wearing Beto shirts and buttons. Our yard signs haven’t been stolen this year and our cars haven’t been damaged as in years past.
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I don’t call trying to change things for the better despite the odds a “vanity” campaign, I call it heroic. What else are Democrats supposed to do in Texas? Just give up?
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Texas is historically “conservative” ? How can they then vote for this group running congress when there is no evidence of physically conservativeness? Yesterday the news of the raise in the National Debt ... then McConnell blaming Sovial Security and Medicare. They are spineless and soulless.
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Are the Houston survivors of hurricane Harvey "skeptical", as Cruz claims to be, of climate change? The survivors of Florence, Michael? How can we continue to take seriously those running for office who deny what is so blatantly obvious? When does such an irresponsible attitude become disqualifying?
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@Edward - no, those of us in Houston tend to lean Democrat, actually. However, the real issue with flooding in Houston is prairie/land development and drainage. Yes, climate change is impacting the severity of storms, but also allowing the developers build, cement and dump rainwater into the bayous is exacerbating the situation for those of us down stream.
16
No, we are not.
3
It's clear that every decent American wants O'Rourke to "come out on the attack" against a man who lies as easily as Cruz. Even his name is a lie.
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@Thomas Payne. And lBetol isn’t?
“The personal attacks, the going to the gutter that is so common in politics, I’ve tried not to engage in,” Mr. Cruz said.
Mr. Cruz, have you seen your ads? Seriously. One of the reasons that people are so inspired by Beto O'Rourke is that he hasn't gone negative. I for one, am pleased that he showed some spine last night. Meanwhile, Ted Cruz continued to lie. Last night he boast about 34 bills he's passed, but facts show he's only passed 1 bill (https://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2015/mar/29/dana-bash/h.... Stop lying Ted.
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@Tamara Sell
Your "facts" page does not load but appears to be from 2015. Look up congress.gov. He has cosponsored many bills- 23 have become law. 33 passed both chambers.
1
@Darla
Was one of them a huge tax cut for the super wealthy?
I'm sure that there was more substance in the debate than this superficial, personality-focused article provides.
The reporter should go back and rewatch the debate -- and write a follow up article focused on the two men's policy differences -- and pointing out such obvious hypocrisies as Cruz having properly viciously attacked a Trump, and now embracing him, and Cruz's claiming to be supportive of MeToo, while having disregarded Professor Blasey Ford and Ms. Ramirez, and backed Kavanaugh!
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@Steve Carlton
Or post a link to video.
1
@Steve Carlton Or you could watch the debate and decide for yourself? He mentioned in the beginning that they mostly debated red v blue topics such as abortion. Nothing new if we`re being completely honest. But again if your that interested you could look it up yourself?
"Beto is a Flake" Donald Trump writes on Twitter. Was that a Freudian slip? Hopefully that should help him. We need more politicians on Congress with Jeff Flake's character.
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Character? Jeff Flake? No, for a proper definition of character please see Jeffords, Jim.
5
I am rooting for him, although having canvassed and phone banked for other campaigns over the years, I really think some of what is considered standard practice for getting out the vote is limited in scope, tending to badger existing supporters while failing to win over and excite moderates. I have no immediate answers, but, while there are some clever apps that make canvassing a little smoother, the hardest thing seems to be sparking loyalty from undecideds early enough. Perhaps the most obvious answer, which many people advocate for, is much shorter campaign seasons.
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Beto , is a yes ! The most sincere and honest choice.
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Cruz and other Texas GOP candidates have been directly and aggressively attacking Democratic rivals this entire campaign season. I hope Democratic candidates are finally finding their backbone and realizing that people want to see some fight in their representatives, and that it's not already too late.
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Well, let's wait and see what happens when first time voters go to the booth in November. They tend not to be counted in polling, and my guess is they will turn out in large numbers and vote for Beto.
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The difference between Beto and Ted is that Beto actually cares, yes... cares, about the people in Texas, the U.S. and the international community; Ted cares about himself. Beto is transparent; Ted is political (and not in a good way). Beto brings unity; Ted encourages division. This campaign however isn't about Ted or Beto, it's about the guy in D.C. Ted, my thoughts and prayers are with you (and not in a good way); Beto, my contributions are with you, you've done everything to earn them. My thoughts and prayers are with you as well (and, to be clear, in a good way).
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It is true that Cruz has done nothing for Texas but Republican voters still stand in line to vote a straight party line.
Until Democrats spend more money registering Hispanic voters and educating them on the importance of their vote this empty suit called Cruz will continue to be elected.
22
Being denied access to the parking lot for the debate because O'Rourke was driving himself is a perfect metaphor for the kind of race being held in Texas this year.
Name and face recognition for O'Rourke was not sufficient for the parking lot attendant to admit him and his wife. There was no pomp and circumstance surrounding O'Rourke's arrival, most likely in contrast with Sen. Cruz's accompanying security detail. O'Rourke clearly demonstrated both humility and civility in handling the situation, and his ultimate admission to the parking lot. Kudos to him!
Cruz, on the other hand, loves grand-standing for attention. If the same situation had occurred with him, I doubt that he would have been anywhere near as courteous in reaction. Perhaps, for the sake of the parking attendant, he'd just have to refer to his ridiculous reading of "Green Eggs and Ham" that flooded the airwaves during his filibustering debacle.
From my own experiences there, Texas is replete with friendly, courteous and civil citizens. They are highly hospitable, and regardless of political persuasion, very proud of their state. Let's hope that Cruz's mean-spirited mendacity will lead Texans to vote for a better representative in the Senate in November - one that O'Rourke represents so well!
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Last time I worked for a campaign was McGovern's, but I'm tempted to work for Beto. A Little Quixotic questing is good for the soul...
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It isn't too late. We welcome your help. betofortexas.com.
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@br
Do it br!
Beto is the real deal.
Time to take out the trash in TX. Bring in some light and hope for the future, I'm glad Beto is taking off his gloves and striking back. Cruz IS dishonest and a snivelling worm.
14
@br Don't just be tempted. Do it! It's easy, it's uplifting, and you'll know you contributed to Beto's win! Go to betofortexas.com for volunteer sign-up.
3
What an unfortunate tone the writers take in the summary of this debate. Why was Beto's performance in the last debate "just-good-enough"? Good enough for what? Beto was "clearly aiming to energize his base of voters". You mean, his base of voters who just set a record for fundraising? I think we're pretty energized. "Mr. O'Rourke tries to restore dimming Democratic hopes that he can unseat Mr. Cruz"? Isn't it obvious that our hopes are anything but dimming? Beto has brought the chuckling, smug Republican to attention with what he brings to the table and how he brings it. He has shaken the Texas GOP swagger enough to make them bring in their highest ranking member in the country to help their campaign. Why? Because they're not sure they can pull it off on their own.
If you must quote someone as absurdly right-wing (and absurd) as Blakemore, surely a Democratic strategist could've been reached for reasonable comment. Beto's campaign has been a "vanity play"? Being a politician requires a certain amount of vanity, does it not? I would argue that JFK's arrival on the political scene launched our first "quixotic adventure" that may well have been based on a myth, yet look how we revere him still. What an amazing storyline for any politician to follow, and especially now: isn't it past time for someone to inspire our collective admiration like that again? The only myth here, dear writers, is that the hopes of Beto supporters are even slightly dimmed.
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@JFreebird Bravo!
13
@JFreebird Idk Cruz is up 7 points in the election and had to employ Trump tactics to try and get more democrats to vote. I think the writer is purely just commenting on the fact that even though he`s raised the most money he's still behind. So no it's not that obvious that democrats hope aren't dimming, yours hasn't maybe but the party as a whole might want the candidate to be winning and not behind with only a few weeks left.
We need to remember that Ted Cruz had Drama training at Harvard University, hence a practiced performance.
He never comes across as sincere, despite his training.
He voted for Kavanaugh, can he really use his wife and daughters as proof that he listens and cares about Women's issues? Can Cruz actually think that Kavanaugh had a Judicial demeanor and a non-partisan attitude?
I am going to have optimism that the polls are wrong. They were wrong about Trump and there is a good possibility that they are wrong about Beto.
The election is 3 weeks away. Anything can and probably will happen.
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Although I'm retired in South America, I vote in Texas and have already voted by mail for Beto. The polls are of "likely" voters and Beto has a lot of support from unlikely voters. It all comes down to GOTV and that ain't easy in Texas because only 30% of the people vote. There are more democrats than republicans in Texas but democrats have a terrible voting record. But, they elected a democrat senator in Alabama and we might see one in Texas. It's very easy to vote in Texas because we have early voting and you can already vote from now to election day. If any of you have the time to help get out the vote in Texas we need all the help we can get.
235
I am another unlikely voter, in fact I've never voted before and live in France but will be casting my ballot in Burnet County as is my right. Who will I be voting for? Beto O'Rourke, because among other things I think that climat change is an important issue that needs to be addressed, rather than some vast flatworldesque hoax.
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@auxyray it's going to be in part (maybe large part) because of efforts like yours that Beto has a fantastic chance to win. THANK YOU!!!
4
@Westcoast Texan
Early voting doesn’t start until the 22nd. It runs for 11 days, and early voters can vote in any precinct in the county. Notwithstanding the voter ID debate, I’d agree that it is very easy to vote in Texas.
14